In doing so, these psychiatrists have broken the much-cited Goldwater rule which prohibits American psychiatrists from commenting professionally on public figures without conducting a formal assessment, declaring it to be unethical to stay silent in the face of what they consider to be dangerous pathology. ...
I've adhered to the 'Goldwater rule' for 34 years, but like thousands of others I would consider rendering an opinion if asked by a media outlet. Alas, with my limited practice that is very unlikely.
The other APA (American Psychological Association) has a similar ethics guideline.
While the APA Ethics Code does not mirror the American Psychiatric Association's Goldwater Rule, it prohibits psychologists from diagnosing individuals they have not personally evaluated. The document clarifies that ethical standards apply even in informal or social media settings and under First Amendment protections.
www.apa.org
Time to quit calling it Obamacare. With all the changes brought/bought by Republicans it should be Obaminationcare.